Neighbors shocked by Wollaston murder

Staff Reports

Monday

Aug 31, 2009 at 12:01 AMAug 31, 2009 at 10:29 AM

Neighbors say they can't believe a 52-year-old Wollaston man is being charged with murder. Joseph Beatty, 52, was arrested Saturday in connection with the death of Mary Beaton in her apartment at 35 Beach St. Police have not yet said how the 33-year-old woman died, only that her body was found Saturday afternoon.

Neighbors say they can't believe a 52-year-old Wollaston man is being charged with murder.

“Joe is the nicest guy,” said one woman who declined to give her name. “I’m shocked.”

"If it snowed, he's be the first guy to help me," said another resident who also asked that his name not be used.

Joseph Beatty, 52, was arrested Saturday in connection with the death of Mary Beaton in her apartment at 35 Beach St. Police have not yet said how the 33-year-old woman died, only that her body was found Saturday afternoon.

According to a press release from District Attorney William Keating's office, the two knew each other well, but the nature of their relationship was not explained further.

Another Beach Street resident who declined to be identified said during the past few months he could hear Beaton and a man, whom he could not identity, arguing loudly many times in Beaton’s apartment.

Beaton had a young daughter living with her, the resident said.

“There was a lot of yelling coming from that apartment,” the neighbor said. “It was obvious when all of the windows were open. My concern was for that little girl. I didn't think she was going to be harmed, but I didn’t think she should be subject to that environment.”

Beatty is Dorchester native who has lived at 31 Safford St. with his wife and son for several years.

Keating's office said Beatty may not have been staying with his family in recent days.

Beatty will be arraigned for murder at 9 a.m. Monday in the Quincy District Court.

This is the third murder in Wollaston this year. In April, a pregnant woman stabbed her 9-year-old daughter to death on Woodbine Street, then turned the knife on herself, killing her 7½-month-old fetus.

The Patriot Ledger

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